RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Society for Human Rights has called for firm action to end the recruitment and exploitation of children by the Houthis in Yemen, warning of the risks to their lives, safety and future, as well as their deprivation of education and a safe life and their being drawn into combat operations.
The human rights body pointed to relevant international reports documenting cases of the recruitment and use of children by the Houthis, as well as reports that children have been exposed to content and activities of a military nature, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The society stressed that the continuation of such practices constitutes a grave violation of children’s rights and runs counter to international rules and safeguards established to protect them from recruitment and exploitation in armed conflicts.
The human rights body also stressed that addressing the recruitment of children should not be limited to condemning or documenting violations, but requires concrete measures to halt these practices, secure the release of recruited children, prevent their re-recruitment, and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Moreover, the society called on the United Nations and the UN Security Council to take firm action against the continued recruitment and exploitation of children, and to activate relevant international measures and mechanisms to hold those responsible for these violations accountable and limit their ability to continue perpetrating them.
It stressed that involving children in conflicts contributes to fuelling cycles of violence and extremism, prolonging conflicts and undermining prospects for peace and stability, thereby affecting efforts to safeguard international peace and security.
The society underscored the importance of complementing efforts to end the recruitment and exploitation of children with effective programs to rehabilitate and reintegrate affected children, ensure their return to their families and schools, and provide them with the necessary psychological and social support to help them regain their normal lives and future.
Furthermore, the society emphasised that the protection of children cannot be delayed, and that the focus must shift from monitoring violations to stopping them and from condemnation to accountability.
It stressed that a child’s place is with their family, at school and in their community, not on the battlefield.
